Brief History of Dominican Migration to the U.S.
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As it has been with Cuba and Puerto Rico, the United States has always maintained a strong strategic geo-political and economic interest in the Dominican Republic. By the late 19th century, the U.S. was involved in covert plans to annex the island, and, following a period in which it controlled the collection and application of Dominican customs revenue, it occupied the island from 1916 to 1924. At their departure, the military forces left in power General Rafael Leónides Trujillo, a dictator who would go on to rule the island for thirty years of the most brutal tyranny in the Caribbean.
In 1963, two years after the fall of Trujillo’s regime, more than 10,000 Dominicans began to enter into the United States, where two years before this figure was a mere 3,045. By 1966, when the U.S. was removing its forces from the island, more than 16,500 Dominicans were entering the U.S. every year.
There are several factors that caused Dominican immigration to the U.S. during earlier waves. During the 1970s and 80s, the biggest reason for Dominican immigration was family reunification. Facilitated by the Family Reunification Act of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, many Dominicans came to the U.S. under the sponsorship of spouses, parents or siblings. They were thus welcomed into the United States by an already-established Dominican community--one who facilitated their entrance into the economic and social aspects of American society.
There are several factors that caused Dominican immigration to the U.S. during earlier waves. During the 1970s and 80s, the biggest reason for Dominican immigration was family reunification. Facilitated by the Family Reunification Act of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, many Dominicans came to the U.S. under the sponsorship of spouses, parents or siblings. They were thus welcomed into the United States by an already-established Dominican community--one who facilitated their entrance into the economic and social aspects of American society.
Dominicans in Rhode Island
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